Used to be very important to kill a deer. Now, not so much. The importance has kind of shifted to just getting out and enjoying each hunt for what it is.
I certainly enjoy being out there (we all do), but I'm out there to take a deer (or several). Maybe it's simply the fact that I'm entering this season with a major sized monkey on my back, but I'm doing what I can to tag a buck. Whether it happens day 1, or the last 10 minutes of the final day, that's my goal.
Every year my goal is to kill a mature perfect symmetrical buck. Well you see how that's worked out. :p In all seriousness ultimately it's to put a mature buck on the ground for venison bologna and lately it's also about filling doe tags usually to assist another in deer management. If it were not for the camera, for a friend, I don't have a lot of interest in taking does unless they need taken. I do however LOVE just being there doing what I love to do.
Hunting is my vent, I no longer play organized sports and that is basically all I do. From deer to turkeys I just love being out there and have all my life...but the kill is all part of the vent. Without the kill I would not hunt, I would go to the zoo and watch animals. Schutlzy, you are right I cannot begin to imagine only having one tag and I KNOW it would bother me and alter the way I hunt. The least amount of deer I could ever kiil in GA is 5, 2 bucks and 3 does. Now we get 2 bucks and 10 does and a plethra of draw hunts and the like that do not even use state issued tags.
No question, my main goal is to kill a buck. As someone already mentioned, by doing so, I will have spent quality time in the woods. Besides, It is kind of rare for me to kill a mature buck real early in the season. Since it is such a rare occurrence, when it does happen, I use it as a chance to get the rest of the things done that were dropped like a hot rock once the season opened!
I'm there to kill stuff. Back before we had a bunch of tags, a couple years I did tag out in a week or 2. I just went small game hunting a lot, fishing, and did other fall things that I enjoy.
I'm there to kill myself, and enjoy stuff. Or is that kill stuff and enjoy myself? :? I go hunting to kill whatever I have the tag for. I enjoy myself while doing so and don't go home crying when I don't...but we hit the woods to fill the tag, whether we admit it or not. Saying otherwise is just a way of comforting ourselves for not achieving that goal. :D
I understand the question very well. The goal is the self satisfying buck, but the journey is the important part. I went and picked up my deer (doe) at the processor yesterday. I met a guy there who killed a GREAT buck Sunday evening. It's the type of buck very few, if any, would have passed on, and would have been my personal best by a long long shot. Rough score in the 170's. I congratulated him and went on and on about it..but I also had this feeling of sorryness for him. It's over for him this year! Now don't get me wrong, I wouldn't pass him up no way no how..but I'd definitly miss spending as much time in the bush.. of course I have the luxury of hunting PA too...so let a 170 try me!
enjoy the time in da woods and to fill the freezer....and maybe get a nice rack that i didn't have to buy a drink or three LOL
I am not one to climb a mountain simply because it is there. Put an elk on the top of that mountain and we have a whole nother ball game! Yours are wonderful words," I just enjoy being in the woods, watching the world wake up and live out its' day." I feel the same way. With that being said, my goal is to run the marathon rather than a sprint. I pray I never run out of mountains with elk on them!
For bow season, my main goal is to shoot a buck. If all else fails I will wait until the last day and shoot a doe in the extended antlerless season.
Example: Yesterday, i had a 6 point walk in 5 yards from my tree and feed at 10 yards for about 15 minutes or so... I was PUMPED! I didnt even think about drawing my bow, but i was having a blast. Thats my take on it. To enjoy the time in the woods... Of course i still have "goals" -kill does -mature representative buck all on film
Had four does this morning mingle around my stand for while and feed this morning. It was a rush. I never even thought about drawing on them either. It's just being out there. Now my overall goal for the year- Take 1 of the nice bucks I've been seeing and a couple does. The does I may decide to wait until the late season for.
howz that saying go ... you can wish in one hand and poop in the other ....:D Any chance on you sharing that recipe?
It's very easy, debone and take to local butcher. :D I'll have some thawed when you get her. Plain and, do you like garlic?
